After Sheng Jun Chapter 45 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 45 Mask Falls Off (part 1)
The conversation that took place in the demon palace's dungeon was unknown to Jiang Xingzhi and the other.
They arrived at Fan Xiu's shop, where the latter was still tending to his alchemy furnace amidst swirling smoke, seemingly undisturbed by the earlier incident.
Jiang Xingzhi silently marveled, "Are all demonic cultivators' mentalities this good?" Then he handed over the Thousand Goblet Bell and the Red Spider Lily, saying, "Everything's ready."
"Mm." Fan Xiu took a puff from his pipe and glanced at the items, discussing the price for refining the medicine. Then he turned and brought out a new furnace from the inner room, setting up the alchemy fire. "Originally it would take three days to refine..."
Jiang Xingzhi watched his working figure. "What about now?"
Fan Xiu didn't turn back. "Come get it tomorrow morning."
Jiang Xingzhi was curious. "Is the new furnace more effective?"
Fan Xiu turned and glanced at him. "No, I'm just letting you cut in line."
"......"
Jiang Xingzhi never expected that as a human cultivator, he would receive such preferential treatment in the Demon Realm! He turned to whisper to Zhong Ming, "Could this be another privilege of being good-looking?"
Zhong Ming thought of the barrier Jiang Xingzhi had casually cast for someone earlier, glanced at Fan Xiu who had already started refining medicine, and didn't explain. "Let's go. We'll come back tomorrow."
"Shall we return to the demon palace first?"
"Alright."
The two left the shop side by side, their voices gradually fading.
Inside, Fan Xiu smoked his water pipe while carefully refining the elixir, and after a while, let out a proud "hmph."
...
Returning to the demon palace, Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming strolled slowly along the palace paths.
With one major concern resolved, he felt much more relaxed. Seeing his cheerful demeanor, Zhong Ming's lips also curved slightly, then he reached out to feel his wrist.
"Once your damaged soul is restored, you won't be so sensitive to cold anymore."
Feeling his hand, which was rough and warm, Jiang Xingzhi remembered that his body temperature was low due to his damaged soul. If the other hadn't mentioned it, he would have almost gotten used to it these past days.
He pulled his arm back slightly. "Mm."
Being afraid of cold wasn't a big deal - the main thing was not to delay his return to a thousand years later.
Zhong Ming still held his wrist without letting go. Just as Jiang Xingzhi was about to ask him to release it, someone approached from ahead.
The blood-colored figure was quite striking against the dark palace walls.
Su You looked at their joined hands, his mouth twitching. "You two really have leisure time, strolling and taking walks in this Lord's palace in broad daylight?"
Jiang Xingzhi pulled his hand back. "We just returned from Fan Xiu's place."
Su You didn't pursue this topic further. Thinking of Yuwen Gong's arrogant and smug laughter from the prison just now, he frowned and asked, "How much longer do you plan to stay in the Demon Realm?"
This sounded like an eviction notice. Jiang Xingzhi speculated, "Did I eat too much breakfast?"
Su You choked. This person even ate breakfast?
"This lord is reminding you to leave as soon as your business is finished."
"That's not possible for now." Jiang Xingzhi said, "The elixir won't be ready until tomorrow at the earliest."
Su You clicked his tongue.
Zhong Ming sensed something odd in his expression. "What's wrong with the Demon Realm?"
"Nothing." Su You was silent for a few breaths. It's just one day - nothing major should happen... He glanced at the two opposite him: Besides, with these two's abilities, even if something happens, they won't be affected.
"The Demon Realm is under martial law from this moment. You two stay indoors and don't wander around."
Jiang Xingzhi understood. "You're worried about us?"
"Heh." The gravity on Su You's face faded, returning to his usual playful expression. "After all, this Lord has always cherished beauties~"
Zhong Ming looked at him expressionlessly, then called to Jiang Xingzhi to return to their quarters. "Let's go. Looking at him, it doesn't seem like the Demon Realm is about to face any real trouble."
"......"
Walking toward their temporary residence, Jiang Xingzhi lowered his head in thought.
He still remembered that a thousand years later, records mentioned a "War Between Human and Demon Realms." Could this incident be the beginning?
"What are you thinking about?" A voice came from beside him.
Jiang Xingzhi asked, "What would happen if the Demon Realm faced trouble?"
Zhong Ming looked ahead calmly. "Whatever happens won't endanger us. Don't worry so much." He paused and softened his tone. "Even if something really happens, I'll protect you."
This sentence structure sounded very much like setting up a flag.
A subtle feeling welled up in Jiang Xingzhi's heart. He glanced at the other. "No need. Just protect yourself."
Zhong Ming smiled lightly, fearless.
****
Just as Su You had said, the entire Demon Realm was under martial law.
Not only the demon palace, but even outside the palace there were many more patrolling guards, going door to door to remind demons of emergency shelter locations.
This tense atmosphere continued until the next day.
When Jiang Xingzhi went to Fan Xiu's place to collect the elixir, the latter also seemed to sense the approaching storm atmosphere, looking up to remind him, "You came for medicine, right? Take the elixir and leave quickly."
"Yes." Jiang Xingzhi looked down at the elixir in his palm.
The pale red elixir lay quietly in his palm.
Zhong Ming wouldn't feel at ease unless he watched him absorb it. "Absorb it first before leaving. We're not in that much of a hurry."
Jiang Xingzhi nodded. "Then let's return to the demon palace to absorb it before leaving."
Fan Xiu waved them away. "Up to you."
Flying back to the demon palace, the patrol teams below in the city seemed to be converging toward one direction.
Jiang Xingzhi looked in that direction. "Something seems to be happening over there."
Zhong Ming accelerated toward the demon palace with him. "It doesn't matter. At least the demon palace is safe for now. When you absorb the elixir, I'll guard you. The danger over there won't reach us."
The oncoming wind brushed through Zhong Ming's temples. Jiang Xingzhi turned to look at him - his handsome profile against the distant chaos, calm and composed.
He said with relief, "Then I'll trouble you."
….
Soon, the two returned to Jiang Xingzhi's room.
A barrier was set up outside. Jiang Xingzhi sat cross-legged on the bed, with Zhong Ming sitting behind him.
The pale red elixir emitted a faint fragrance. Jiang Xingzhi placed his hands one above and one below in front of him, the elixir floating between his palms, drawn by spiritual power to flow strand by strand into his heart.
His damaged soul was being restored bit by bit...
After about half an hour, Jiang Xingzhi felt his sea of consciousness become full again. A warm sensation filled his mind, making him feel drowsy and weak all over.
Thump. His body went limp and he fell backward into the embrace behind him.
Zhong Ming caught him in his arms, looking down at Jiang Xingzhi resting against his shoulder. The latter's tightly closed eyes didn't open - he must still be organizing his divine consciousness in his sea of consciousness.
He reached out to feel the person's wrist - his body temperature had finally warmed up. Zhong Ming slowly let out a breath, his gaze falling on Jiang Xingzhi's face, carefully tracing his delicate features.
From this top-down angle, those features appeared even clearer - high nose bridge, beautiful lip shape.
His heartbeat quickened involuntarily.
Zhong Ming couldn't help but tighten his arms, his gaze falling on the slightly parted red lips. Unable to control himself, he leaned down slightly, closing the distance.
Cool hair strands slipped into Jiang Xingzhi's open collar. Jiang Xingzhi's brow furrowed and he opened his eyes.
Before him was a handsome face very close to his own. Noticing his awakening, the approaching movement suddenly stopped. Jiang Xingzhi didn't immediately understand the current situation, confused for a moment, then suddenly realized he was leaning in someone's arms.
Their gazes met. The eyes above seemed to hold a burning fire, falling on his lips...
As if wanting to kiss him.
His heart jolted violently! Jiang Xingzhi raised his hand to push away the chin above him, sitting up straight and turning to look, his gaze sharp. "Bai Mu, what are you doing?"
Zhong Ming's arms were still around his sides. He instinctively pulled the person closer into his embrace, looking down at him and calling softly, "Deng Deng."
Jiang Xingzhi didn't give him a chance to deflect, shaking off his arms. "Were you just about to..."
"I was just looking at you." Zhong Ming said, "Getting closer to see more clearly."
"Heh, spare me." Just as Jiang Xingzhi was about to pursue the matter, a tremendous noise came from outside. RUMBLE------!
He stopped mid-sentence as both of them got up and pushed open the door.
"What happened?"
Outside seemed to be in chaos, with palace servants running around frantically. "The sky - the sky has collapsed!"
Zhong Ming frowned. "Calm down. How serious could it be for the sky to collapse?"
The palace servant shook her head, stamping her foot anxiously. "Ah! The sky really has collapsed------" She pointed toward the city entrance. "The Night Crossing River in the sky has completely fallen, and it looks like it's about to flood the entire Demon Realm."
Zhong Ming paused for a moment: Night Crossing River?
Then he realized: Holy shit! Night Crossing River!!!
Oh, Night Crossing River... Jiang Xingzhi looked deeply at Zhong Ming. "Protector Bai, you said you would protect me."
"......" The calm composure on Zhong Ming's face was completely gone, looking utterly panicked. "We need to leave the Demon Realm first!"
He turned to ask the palace servant, "Where's the exit from the Demon Realm?"
The palace servant was startled by his agitated reaction, pointing in a direction. "But..." Before she could finish, Zhong Ming grabbed Jiang Xingzhi's wrist and rushed out, moving like lightning, disappearing from the demon palace in an instant!
Only the palace servant remained, murmuring, "But the exit is sealed..."